Auto show revs San Diegans DOWNTOWN – The San Diego International Auto Show continues through Sunday, Jan. 2 at the San Diego Convention Center, 111 West Harbor Drive. Highlights of the show are the hundreds of new model vehicles, classics and exotics, a salute to Volkswagen buses and five decades of Mustangs. Mazda Family Day is Sunday, Jan. 2. Children 12 and under will receive free admission with a paying adult. Video games, such as Gran Turismo 5, will be available for all ages to play. The auto show is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. For ticket information visit www.sdautoshow.com. WorldBeat Cultural Center offers alternative New Year’s Eve event BALBOA PARK — San Diego’s WorldBeat Cultural Center will host an alternative New Year’s Eve event tonight with an extravaganza in Balboa Park. The event will be in collaboration with Bhakti Fest, Sarva Dharma and Sacred Spaces Village, and will benefit Positive Hope, a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization providing education and training to the community in alternative energies and sustainable living. The event will feature singing and dancing to kirtan rock showcasing Jaya Lakshmi, The Breath of Life, Krishna’s Kirtan and Prem. There will also be performances by mantra mix/global beat master DJ Sharu, indigenous Aztec, African and tribal belly dancers, WorldBeat all-star community drum circle, fire performers, a midnight puja/meditation. Vegetarian cuisine and a giveaway is planned. The event takes place at the center, located at 2100 Park Blvd. For more information, call (619) 230-1190, or visit www.worldbeatcenter.org SeaWorld to host New Year’s Eve fireworks MISSION BAY — SeaWorld officials plan to ring in 2011 with a special fireworks show tonight, New Year’s Eve. The pyrotechnics display will immediately follow the “Shamu’s Christmas” show at about 7:50 p.m. The five-minute fireworks display will light up the skies over Mission Bay. For more information, visit www.seaworld.com/sandiego. Ring in the new year with music and flair SAN DIEGO — The most anticipated party night on the annual entertainment calendar, New Year’s Eve is a great time to let loose a little before tackling 2011 head on. There will be no shortage of options on that night, particularly if you’re a fan of the area’s major DJs — with clubs, restaurants and even battle ships vying for your attendance. Here are a half dozen of the night’s best picks. All events are for those over 21 only. The giant When it comes to major entertainment, nothing in town comes close to Big Night Out, held at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. Partygoers will have the choice of 12 themed party zones, including a Vegas Casino, Mardi Gras Ballroom and Retro Ballroom, with other rooms devoted to hip-hop and electronic music, as well as a Guitar Hero Lounge. More entertainment was being added at press time, but artists performing will include R&B groovers Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, ’80s tribute band Metro, and roots reggae group Jet West. Meanwhile, dance floor action will be provided by DJs Scooter & Lavelle, Happee, Edgartronic, Mike Czech and Mike G. The event is all-inclusive, with your admission taking care of everything once inside, including drinks. With more going on than two or three of the other area events combined, Big Night Out is hard to beat Big Night Out at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront: $149-$219. www.bignightsandiego.com A large-scale happening The Hard Rock Café’s annual bash will be a turntable-only event, with 11 DJs and five venues, including one with a 3,000-capacity dance floor. Entertainment will be provided by a DJ roster that includes Robbie Rivera, Danny Love, Al Squared, Craig Smoove and Two O Seven. While all the rooms provide great sound and lights, the best is rooftop nightspot Woodstock, which offers one of the best views in town. If you find the thought of dancing under the stars as one of your evening’s options appealing, this is the event for you. New Years Eve 2010 at The Hard Rock Café: $60. www.hardrocknye.com Smaller events For indie rock fans, the best spot to be on New Year’s Eve will be the Casbah. Featuring a bill topped by Transfer, as well as Rafter (Roberts) and Shape of Future Frames, the night promises to be loud and boisterous. Transfer is on a particularly hot streak at the moment, with sold out shows and much media attention. While they remain highly touted local heroes, their fan base now extends to Canada and Europe, with the rest of the world now in their sights. Transfer recently wrapped up a U.K. tour with Killers frontman Brandon Flowers, followed by their own headline North American tour. Currently touring behind their disc “Future Selves,” they released a new U.K. single, “Losing Composure,” this month. Transfer at the Casbah: $25. www.casbahmusic.com There will likely be a no more unique setting for New Year’s in San Diego this season than the bash being held at the USS Midway Museum. Taking place aboard the legendary aircraft carrier, this is an all-inclusive event and is black-tie optional. Music for dancing will be provided by the Big Daddy Orchestra. Between the historic setting and swanky dress, if you are looking for a more upscale, elegant event, this may just be the ticket. Midway Aircraft Carrier New Year’s Eve: $159. www.midway.org Fans of classic soul and R&B tunes of the sixties and seventies will find everything they need at downtown institution Patricks II. The evening includes party hats and favors, food and a champagne toast at midnight, with music from five-piece Motown and soul review Soul Diego. The venue’s intimate size and proximity to the performers is part of this club’s allure. Anyone searching for a good old-fashioned communal New Year’s Eve at a top neighborhood bar need look no further. Soul Diego at Patricks II: Cover TBD. www.patricksii.com Best known as the original home of jazz nightspot Dizzy’s, the Culy Trucking Building is starting a new tradition in 2010 with the inaugural edition of “Downtown Countdown.” The 15,000-foot venue will be transformed into three distinct rooms with two DJ rooms featuring top drawer talent such as DJ Apaulo8 of 3rd Borough. Live music will be handled by one of the best and most versatile dance/cover bands on the planet, N.R.G. Adept at music of all styles, from Glen Miller to Pink, from The Andrews Sisters to Earth, Wind & Fire, this group performs with skill, accuracy and yes, an energy that’s amazing. Admission to this event is also all-inclusive. Downtown Countdown at The Culy Trucking Building. $119. www.downtowncountdownsandiego.com —Bart Mendoza FRIDAY, Dec. 31 La Jolla • Last day of exhibition “Passions,” by Anne Labovitz, 10 a.m., La Jolla Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St., (858) 454-5872, free